Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center (NRCAC) provides a comprehensive guide on interviewing children with disabilities who are labeled as “non-verbal.” It clarifies that “non-verbal” can mean various levels of speech ability, from using signs or gestures to not speaking at all. The guide stresses that non-verbal children should always be given the chance to be interviewed and provides a list of questions to ask caregivers to understand the child’s communication methods better. It also includes strategies for interviewing, such as using simple and concrete questions, allowing ample time for responses, and considering a multisession interview approach. The document cautions against assuming intellectual disabilities based on a child’s use of a communication device and emphasizes the importance of checking with the child about their desire to use the device.
